Where's the Epicness in Your Life?

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Original Publication Date:
November 2009

Pz's Pointers on how to increase the epicness in your life

1. Think of your life is epic terms

Your life is meant to be epic. Have you ever thought of it in those terms? I'm sure many of you haven't. That's not to say epicness is associated with massive wealth or notoriety. It doesn't mean you have to be a celebrity or politician or mover shaker with enormous status. It doesn't mean big and showy like ABC's Shark Tank where prosperous entrepreneurs flaunt their money and success and dangle carrots of opportunity in front of needy or desperate people who want the Sharks to make their dreams come true. It's doesn't require arrogance or ego. It isn't loud or garish. Epicness doesn't equate in that fashion. Epicness is the measure of the mark you leave on the world. It's about how you conduct your life. It's about who you impact and how you affect them. It's about what you give to the world and what you take from the world. A truck driver or dog groomer can have a more epic life than an actress or a lawyer. That's not to imply that the actress or lawyer can't be a huge success in society's terms and a successful human being, too. Of course, they can. What you do is not who you are. What you earn is not who you are. I'm forever reminded of my favorite Martin Luther King, Jr. street sweeper speech. When your lot in life is to sweep streets, sweep them with all the pride and gusto possible. Never think lesser of yourself. Never think your life has less meaning or importance. The lives you touch as a result of those streets you've tended with such TLC are part of your epicness valued beyond gold.

2. Acknowledge people every chance you get

Do you make it a point to acknowledge others? Ever notice how surprised people get when you call them by name or care who they are? People who walk in and out of our lives like the clerk at the 7-11 or the teller at the bank or the waitress at the all night diner all respond differently when we sincerely acknowledge them. Calling them by name is one sure way of doing that. If you don't know their name or they don't have a name tag, ask them. They'll be more than happy to tell you. This might sound silly or simple but it's an oh so powerful gesture. People like to feel noticed and respected. They want to matter. And shouldn't everyone have that chance? A lot of hard working folks are tackling tough and often thankless jobs that require dealing with the difficult and demanding public like you and me. We can be a lot less difficult and a lot less demanding. Yes, we can! Tonight I was in my local grocery close to closing time. The deli starts to break everything down and put the meats in the cooler and clean the machines while still waiting on customers like yours truly who come in at the bewitching hour. As I walked up, I could see a lady who had served me several times before. She was engrossed in her checklist of chores with a tired and pensive look that reflected how taxing her job really is. I remembered her name as being Geraldine and so as not to startle her I said, "Wake up back there Geraldine, there's a girl here who needs some of your fresh turkey." Immediately her eyes lit up and a big smile came across her face. We had a lovely exchange as she sliced my turkey—thin, just right—and I left her feeling better than I found her. She also left me feeling good as well. That's part of building an epic life. There will be many Geraldine's who you meet along the way. Acknowledge them with kindness and you will reap rewards in places you least expect when you need it most.

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